On Saturday, 11 May 2024 at the Viglas Castle in Slovakia, in the presence of Grand Master Daniel von Rechitar and the highest authorities of the Order, with the honoured participation of His Beatitude Cosma I°, Primate of the Italian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, the annual Agape of the Fraternitas Ordo Draconis was held.

During the Liturgy and after H.B. Cosma I° blessed the cloaks and the new sword, forged for the occasion, called the “Tongue of the Dragon”, Cav. di Gran Croce Manlio Bertucci was appointed Lieutenant Grand Master.

 

 

Next, in the Temple Hall, more than 20 new knights and ladies were called to the investiture ceremony, conducted by the Grand Master of Ceremonies, C.G.C. Antonio Bertucci, the Grand Secretary, G.D. Mariana Anghel and the Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies, Comm. Pasquale Zacheo. On this occasion, the postulants were marked with a new ritual, based on six unique moments to symbolise the cycle of life made of rectitude, purity, brotherhood and shared human values.

Five new Grand Priories were appointed, in addition to those already existing in Sicily and Lazio, which will allow the Order to grow further at international level: USA-FRANCE- SERBIA and MONTENEGRO- CONGO and the Priory of Calabria.

The Gala Dinner, whose seafood menu was entrusted to Chef Quinto Spinelli, Executive Chef of the “Giomare” Restaurant in Porto Sant’Elpidio, continued with a welcome performance by tenor Mario Caporaso and the presence of the guests of honour: Col. Orazio Anania, President of the International Police Award Arts Festival, and Aime’ Lay Ekuakille, Professor at the Department of Innovation Engineering at the University of Salento in Lecce. Group dancing followed.